Raine

I was aware that my answer went against logic and common sense. But as his hands touched my neck and tummy, I felt lightning shoot up my spine, as if my body had a consciousness of its own.

And I had been aching for something more.

Why the devil did I not feel right?

He was totally unknown to me! I had no idea that he may be a serial murderer. He was dangerous, I'd already decided, and I had no intention of seeing him again. But the bond I felt with him was unbreakable as he stood at my back, his arms encircling me in an unbreakable hug.

I had been unable to concentrate.

All I could sense was him.

And then, with such ease, I had given him the response he had requested. Sure. Yes, I was going to let myself be taken advantage of by a complete stranger who may be a serial murderer. for the very first time.

I must be furious.

However, I couldn't deceive myself into thinking I regretted it. I declined. He had changed my life and I wanted him to. However, at this point—where in hell were we? Of all things, he insisted he was a vampire! I walked back through the doors to my suite, numb, and wrapped the towel over my body. It was worse than I had anticipated. In actuality, he was crazy.

I was unable to ignore the recollection of his movement, though. It seemed as though he had vanished and then materialized just behind me. Even though he moved faster than a human, I wasn't sure if I could accept that he was a vampire. That was excessive.

He followed closely after me as I went into my bedroom. "Can you give me some privacy to get dressed, please?" I turned to speak with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

"You were already nude in my eyes. You are not allowed to make any calls or set off a security alert. I guarantee that anyone who interrupts us won't have a good time." His remarks had a deadly meaning, and his eyes shone like steel.

I trembled. I had a gut feeling that his threat was genuine. With an uncanny elegance for a man, he perched at the edge of the bed and waited.

He'd already seen me nude, as he'd indicated, so I let go of the towel and started pulling through the drawers. My physique had never really caused me any self-consciousness. I was not attractive enough to be a porn star, but I had curves all over the place and a full C-cup.

I looked at my possibilities and shuddered. Regretfully, I relished little luxuries like revealing underwear. Although I hadn't had the chance to experience them with a man yet, I wanted to feel attractive under my clothing and could afford the extravagance, so I didn't have any basic underwear on hand. Even though I chose the least provocative pair I could find, they were still rather interesting, I had to admit. He gave me a low growl as I slid into the white lace see-through panties. I gave him a sharp little shake of my head. The deliberate sparkle in his eyes sent a shockwave through me once more. B*tch.

Give up acting in that way!

My mutinous desire was not subsiding, even though I was half-naked in his presence. I quickly looked for a T-shirt and some shorts to put on since I had to get ready. When I was done, I snarled, "Now what?" as I turned to face him with my fists on my hips.

"Now we talk." When I sat down, he gestured toward the bed.

I was not going to join him on the bed, oh no.

"I'll talk, but we're not doing it in here." I turned and walked out the bedroom door into the formal living area before he could argue. I plopped down into one of the cozy sofas, not caring that I couldn't hear him if he was behind me. He was pressuring me to have this talk. I could choose the room, so that was the least he could have done.

He was already sitting in a chair close to the sofa when I looked up.

Oh, how unsettling it was when he moved so quickly.

Why did you spend tonight in the club? And try not to tell me lies!" he gave an order.

I gave an eye roll.

When I answered, he raised an eyebrow.

I was indifferent. Not that I had anything to conceal. With a dismissive sweep of my hand, I sighed, "Destiny, who is apparently an evil bitch, if this is what she had in mind."

He gazed at me.

Then, to my amazement, he abruptly changed the subject. "Do you normally swim naked in public places?"

"Public places?" Confused, I repeated gently. Yes, the pool is not open to the public. I had the whole third level to myself, along with private pool access."

With a nod. "How long are you staying in Romania?"

"I booked the chalet for a year sabbatical, however, if Destiny does not back the hell up, I may have to rethink my plans," I responded with irritation.

He considered my answer. "You reserved the entire chalet's third floor for a year? That is not an inexpensive trip. How can you afford something like that?"

I tensed up. I disliked discussing money matters. "What do my finances have to do with anything?"

His face became stern. "Answer the question!"

With a loud sigh, I said, "I have a trust fund."

He remained silent for a while. "Tell me about your family."

A familiar agony twisted my face. That was not the talk I wanted to have with him. I was a powerful, self-reliant woman. Since I had never had somebody to rely on, I was very fortunate that I didn't need anyone. And therein was the issue. My entire life, I had lived alone. I never talked about it or shared it with anyone because it was too painful. It pierced my icy protective wall and entered my heart.

A muscle in his jaw tightened. He was not going to give up on this.

Only one tear ran out of my eyes. Angrily, I brushed it aside. It wouldn't be me. Knowing that was already too terrible. However, it would be a hundred times worse to say it aloud and have to listen to me say it. With a hesitant murmur, I said, "I don't want to..."

He growled, "Answer the damn question now!" as his face twisted into the frightened look of the predator he claimed to be, crimson seeping into his eyes.

I recoiled. I hurriedly brushed away the tears that had seeped between my lashes. I became angry and hissed, saying, "I don't have a fucking family! Do you feel joy now? Does that provide you with all the information you require about me?

"What?" With perplexed eyebrows, he reclined and obviously did not anticipate my response.

I suppressed my feelings and pushed the tears away. This has been my lifelong struggle. One man could not change it for me. "I have never had a family," I said in a chilly tone. Not a single family member. My guardian, the bank, gave me a beautiful message on my twelfth birthday to commemorate the passing of my family tree. "It's basically saying, 'I don't want you...don't try to find me,' and the lovely script of the words almost denigrates their ugly content."

The letter actually stated so much more than that: Raine, you are so loved. Even if saying goodbye hurts, this is a better option. Do not try to locate me, please.

However, that jackass didn't need to be aware of it. None of them did. Apart from the remarkably incomplete message, I also received an enigmatic trust money. It seems like they attempted to make up for their inability to provide me with a family by giving me money." Sarcastically, I spit.

He sat back, softening his look.

That gaze annoyed me, so I said, "I don't need or want your pity."

"It is most definitely not pity that I feel."

He suddenly rose up. I watched him closely as he sat down with me on the couch. I had no idea why he felt the need to draw nearer to me, but his hostility had vanished. He appeared...sad now. That didn't seem like a good indicator to me.

With angry black eyes, he moved closer to me and said in a whisper, "I'm sorry...I'll make it quick."